Chest Pain

Coastal Heart Medical Group

Chest pain is often a sign of a serious health problem, and you should seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing discomfort in that area. At Coastal Heart Medical Group, in Santa Ana, California, the team offers expert diagnosis of the cause of your chest pain and customized treatments to reduce your pain and restore your health. Call Coastal Heart Medical Group or make an appointment online today.

Chest Pain Q & A

What causes chest pain?

Many illnesses and conditions can contribute to chest pain, ranging from indigestion to heart diseases. Some of the cardiovascular causes of chest pain include:

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when a blockage stops blood flow to your heart. It could be caused by a blood clot or a buildup of cholesterol in your coronary artery. You may also suffer from reduced blood flow because of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — a condition that occurs when the muscles of your heart thicken.

Angina

Angina is the clinical term for chest pain due to your heart not receiving enough oxygenated blood. It feels like pressure or squeezing in your chest, shoulders, arm, neck, or back. Angina is a symptom of an underlying heart problem like coronary artery disease.

Aortic dissection

Aortic dissection occurs when the tissue in your aorta — the main artery leading to your heart — separates. The condition allows blood to seep between the layers of the tissue and can lead to an aortic rupture.

Pericarditis

Pericarditis is inflammation in the sac that surrounds your heart. The pain is usually more intense when you inhale or lie down.

How is the cause of chest pain diagnosed?

The team at Coastal Heart Medical Group diagnoses the cause of your chest pain with a thorough physical exam, blood tests, and heart monitoring procedures, including electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, stress tests, and angiograms.

If necessary, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure, such as angioplasty, bypass surgery, or dissection repair to restore your heart function.

Additionally, they encourage you to make heart-healthy changes to your lifestyle, including dietary adjustments, smoking cessation, and adding physical activity to your day.

Chest pain should always be assessed by a physician. If you have chest pain that’s accompanied by shortness of breath or dizziness, you should seek immediate medical attention. However, if you have mild chest pain that comes and goes and doesn’t feel urgent, you should make an appointment. The team at Coastal Heart Medical Group can provide advice when you call if you’re unsure whether you should go to the emergency room or schedule a visit.